Policy Alert CSFP 2011-08

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/ POLICY ALERT
Date: August 15, 2011Reference:#CSFP 2011-08
To: Commodity Supplemental Food Program (CSFP) Contracting Entities
Subject: New Release of Non-Discrimination Statement
Effective Date: Immediately
Purpose
/ CLARIFY requirements for the latest release of the Civil Rights Non-Discrimination Statement
REPLACE Item 6110, Public Notification, in the CSFP Handbook
Implementation
/ Immediately
Procedure / Replace Item 6110 in the CSFP Handbook with the following:
As part of a contracting entity’s public notification responsibilities, you and each sub-agency must:
  • Display the USDA nondiscrimination poster, "And Justice for All," in a prominent place.
  • Make program information available to the public upon request.
  • Be able to provide information materials related to the CSFP in languages other than English, if the need exists.
  • Provide the following Civil Rights Non-Discrimination Statement (NDS) and complaint-filing procedures in all applications and program-related information intended for current and potential participants:
In accordance with Federal Law and U.S. Department of Agriculture policy, this institution is prohibited from discriminating on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, age, or disability.
To file a complaint of discrimination, write USDA, Director, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-9410 or call toll free (866) 632-9992 (Voice).Individuals who are hearing impaired or have speech disabilities may contact USDA through the Federal Relay Service at (800) 877-8339; or (800) 845-6136 (Spanish).USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
continued
This Policy Remains in Effect Until Further Notice

Policy Alert CSFP 2011-08

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Procedure
continued / The NDS must be printed in its entirety on all program eligibility documents that are intended for the public.
All applications and informational materials must contain the NDS. You must supply these materials to all current and potential program participants.
When the NDS is revised, as current materials are depleted and new materials are developed and printed, the new statement must be printed on the materials.
Current written materials and websites regarding CSFP must list the protected classes within the NDS.
Media advertisements and public announcements must contain at least the following statement:
USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.
As contact information changes, such as telephone numbers, in the complaint-filing procedures, labels may be used to update the contact information on the “And Justice for All” poster (AD-475C-1999). Labels may not altar or cover the list of protected classes on the “And Justice for All” poster in any way.
Note: When human likenesses are used in program materials, reasonable efforts must be made to depict an ethnic balance.

Contact

/ If you have any questions, please contact your Commodity Operations at (877) TEX-MEAL or (877) 839-6325.